TRAVELThe Airport Lounge Perk That Keeps High Rollers Hooked on Amex4 min read

The Guest Fee Problem

This is where the lounge fantasy hits a wall for a lot of people. Standard Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers get no complimentary guests — zero, aside from children under two. Want to bring your partner? That’s $50 per adult guest, $30 per guest under 18. You can pay with any physical Amex card.

Corporate Platinum cardmembers get two complimentary guests at U.S., London, and Hong Kong locations. Centurion cardmembers get two complimentary guests or immediate family members (spouse or domestic partner plus children under 18) at no charge across all locations. Guest policies also vary by country — Stockholm Centurion Lounge gives Platinum cardmembers one free guest, while Mexico City locations charge $70 per guest instead of $50.

The $75,000 Workaround

There is one escape hatch for Platinum and Business Platinum holders. Spend $75,000 or more in eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year and you unlock complimentary access for up to two guests per visit for the remainder of that year, plus 13 additional months. It resets, but the window is generous once you hit it.

That threshold is out of reach for most people, which means the Centurion Lounge is at its best when you travel solo or with someone who has their own access card. The math gets punishing fast if you’re paying guest fees on every trip. Keep that in mind when you’re deciding whether the annual fee still pencils out.